Don't live life off balance
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. However, it isn't just the older adults that need to worry about losing their balance. It can be anyone who takes prescription medications. Prescription medications can have negative side effects that cause vision changes, dizziness or drowsiness which can alter one's balance, increasing risk of a fall.
At any given time, more than half of the American population is taking a prescription medication with antibiotics being the most commonly prescribed. A study by the Mayo Clinic revealed that 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug, 50 percent of Americans take two, and 20 percent take five or more prescribed medications a day for chronic disorders. It is important to note that it is not uncommon for individuals to suffer from multiple related chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 76 percent of doctor visits result in some form of drug therapy, and on average, more women than men tend to receive prescription medications. Aside from antibiotics, antidepressants and opioids round out the top three prescribed medications.
Some of the most common prescribed medications that can impact balance include antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines prescribed to relieve allergy symptoms, blood pressure and other heart medications, pain relievers, and both prescription and non-prescription sleep aids. Sometimes it isn't a single drug that can alter balance; it is a combination or a variety of medications taken together.
Medications break down at a different rate and are absorbed differently as we get older, making us more sensitive to the side effects. As we age, the liver gets smaller, blood flow decreases and the enzymes needed to break down medications declines. This can result in medications collecting in the liver, possibly leading to liver damage. Additionally, the kidneys become less effective at eliminating any leftover medications in the body.
The body's cells retain less water, making it more difficult to dissolve water-soluble medications. This can cause the medication to become too concentrated, increasing the side effects. The digestive system gets slower, taking more time for the medications to reach the intestines, which is where the medicines are absorbed. And the stomach produces less acid, which takes it longer to break down some medications.
Unintentional falls can result in a decreased quality of life or even loss of life. If you are concerned that your medications are altering your balance, talk to your physician about how to minimize this side effect without reducing the medication's effectiveness.
Missy Corrigan is executive of community health for Sumter Family YMCA. She can be reached at mcorrigan@ymcasumter.org or (803) 773-1404.